IAEA Collaborates with Iran to Ensure Comprehensive Safeguard Implementation

This year’s International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference (IAEAGC) opens amid significant global challenges. Issues such as military conflicts, terrorism, the erosion of nuclear norms, and increasing inequalities are putting our collective resolve to the test. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, shared these insights on his X account on Monday.

In his address at the 69th IAEA General Conference, Grossi emphasized the agency’s ongoing efforts, stating, “We are working with Iran on practical steps aimed at resuming the full implementation of safeguards in the country.” This reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring nuclear safety and compliance worldwide.

Grossi outlined several key initiatives currently underway, highlighting the IAEA’s proactive approach:

• Verification in Syria: “We are verifying past nuclear activities in Syria, with the country agreeing to cooperate with full transparency.”
• Monitoring Ukraine: “We are staying on the ground at all five nuclear sites in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where the threat of a nuclear accident remains real.”
• Fukushima Water Discharge: “We are monitoring the safe discharge of treated water at Fukushima, with results well below safety limits.”

He further noted a significant shift toward nuclear energy, stating, “We are also seeing a ‘return to realism’ on nuclear power. The numbers speak for themselves: by 2050, nuclear capacity is expected to increase by as much as 2.5 times.” Currently, nearly 40 countries are developing nuclear power capabilities, many for the first time. Additionally, the World Bank is now poised to support nuclear projects, which will be a key focus at the upcoming COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.

Grossi outlined various initiatives aimed at leveraging nuclear technology for humanitarian and environmental benefits:

• #RaysOfHope: “We’re helping save lives in 40 countries by expanding access to cancer care.”
• #Atoms4Food: “We’re boosting food security, improving crop resilience, and protecting water resources.”
• #NUTECplastics: “We’re assisting 100 countries in monitoring marine microplastic pollution, with over 50 turning plastic waste into valuable products like construction materials.”
• ZODIAC: “We’re better preparing countries to detect and respond to zoonotic disease threats.”

Looking ahead, Grossi announced exciting developments in the intersection of technology and nuclear energy. He stated, “In December, we will host the first-ever IAEA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy.” This event will bring together experts from both the nuclear and tech sectors to explore how AI can enhance nuclear innovation.

Additionally, the IAEA will continue to push the boundaries of nuclear science with the 30th Fusion Energy Conference in Chengdu, aiming to advance the agenda toward commercial fusion energy, which Grossi believes will become a reality in our lifetimes. “The Agency is playing its own part in making it happen,” he affirmed.

This week, the #ScientificForum is dedicated to “Atoms for Water,” showcasing how nuclear science can contribute to better management of our planet’s most precious resource, water.

Lastly, Grossi highlighted a significant milestone for the agency: “This Wednesday, we mark the inauguration of the IAEA’s new Visitor Centre in Seibersdorf, where the modernization of our laboratories is now complete and they are expected to be fully operational by year-end.” This development marks a new chapter for the IAEA in enhancing its operational capabilities and outreach.

The ongoing efforts of the IAEA reflect a robust commitment to advancing global nuclear safety, harnessing technological innovations, and addressing pressing humanitarian and environmental challenges.